The Walking Classroom: Holding Ourselves Accountable

So it has been a month since I last wrote about the Walking Classroom.  Since then, we have started to find our groove and are making this more a part of our routine.  We still aren't getting out quite as much as I would like, but we are slowly getting there and I am hopeful that this upward swing of making the walking part of our routine will continue.

Today, I wanted to share a bit with you on how I have tried to hold them accountable to the lessons they are listening to.  I have begun a Walking Classroom folder for each student.  It is a simple manilla folder into which I stapled these two sheets that I made.

This is mine.  I forgot to take a picture of a student's.  Sorry!

You can see spaces for when we do the walk again.

 One is a lesson record sheet.  The first time we do a lesson, we write what the learning goals are (which I take from the synopsis in the Teacher's Manual)  This, I am finding, keeps them focused on what I want them to learn.

 Click here to access the form

They also have a lesson recording sheet.  After the lesson is over, and we have debriefed (we do that right outside immediately after the walk), the students write down something they learned from the lesson and draw a picture.  There are 3 spaces for them.  I am finding that we do the walks a few times, so that they can gain the most out of the lesson, so each time we walk, they write something new they learned.

Click here to access the form.

You can actually use this particular form without the program.  It would work with any lesson you do more than once.





The final piece is the Comprehension Quiz.  This actually comes with the program itself and I LOVE it.  Not only are the students showing me what they learned from the walk, but they are using their comprehension strategies to do it!  I have been giving the quiz after the second time we do a lesson, just so they have a bit longer to process the information (since they don't have a text to refer back to) and it is working out splendidly!



So that is my Walking Classroom Update!  If you want more information about The Walking Classroom, including how you can apply for a grant to get this into your classroom, click here.

And don't forget to follow them on Facebook for all the latest updates. 

They also have partnered with LearnNC and there are 10 podcasts and lessons available for free download!!  This is a great way to test drive the program if you were thinking about implementing it in your room. Click here to get ahold of these awesome lessons. 

Next time, I want to show you how we are recording our walking in class...and how that is motivating my students.  Until then....happy trails ;)